Press head insulator

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a two-piece insulator for a press head. Both pieces of the insulator are molded from low thermal transmission material. The pieces are formed with a uniform wall thickness adjacent to the heating areas of the head. The two pieces are made to conform to the exterior of the head and each is provided with edges which abut when the pieces are in position on the head. Clearance areas are provided on the pieces for the various supports and utility connections of the head.

United States Patent [1 1 Gilstrap 1 Dec. 4, 1973 PRESS HEAD INSULATOR Primary ExaminerPatrick D. Lawson [76] Inventor: James Thomas Gilstrap, PO. Box Attorney-D Carl Rlchards et 672 Waxahachie, Tex. [22] Filed: Jan. 2, 1973 ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 320,646 Disclosed is a two-piece insulator for a press head. Both pieces of the insulator are molded from low ther- [52] U S C mal transmission material. The pieces are formed with [51] k a uniform wall thickness adjacent to the heating areas of the head. The two pieces are made to conform to [58] Field of Search 38/66, 140, 71, 72 the exterior of the head and each is provided with [56] References Cited edges which abut when the pieces are in position on the head. Clearance areas are provided on the pieces UNITED STATES PATENTS for the various supports and utility connections of the 3,112,574 12/1963 Behncke 38/66 head. 3,513,574 5/1970 Hobe et a1. 38/66 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PRESS HEAD INSULATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to improvements in press head insulators, and the like and more particularly to a new and improved press head insulator which can be installed and removed without disassembling the press head.

One of the problems which has confronted owners and operators of I cleaning establishments, clothing manufacturers, and the like has been the inefficient operation and danger to employees of fabric pressing apparatus. These apparatus normally have hollow metallic heads into which heated steam is supplied. The exposed or upper surface of these heads reaches high operating temperatures and can injure the operator if contacted. In addition, heat is transferred from these heads to the surrounding atmosphere, thus reducing the efficiency of the heads and increasing the cost of cooling the work environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The general purpose of the present invention is to provide an insulator for a press head which not only insulates the head, but also is designed to be easily installed and replaced as required without requiring dismantling of the head itself. In addition, the invention provides a uniform thickness of insulation over the heating areas of the head.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved press head insulator.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved press head insulator which is simple and inexpensive to install and manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved press head insulator which assists in evenly distributing the heat to the press head.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying Drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a press head with the insulator of the present invention attached thereto;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear elevation view of the press head and insulator illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a section of the device taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a section of the device taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the Drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown a press head assembly which for purposes of description is identified by reference numeral 10. This press head assembly has a support arm 12 which is attached to a hollow, metallic press head 14. This press head 14 is normally used in conjunction with a lower stationary head in the pressing of fabrics, by the use of steam heat. The support arm 12 is attached to a conventional mechanism (not shown) of a pressing apparatus and is used to raise and lower the head 14 into and out of contact with the stationary head. A steam input port 18 is provided in the upper surface 20 of head 14, for use in attaching a steam supply conduit to supply steam to the chamber 16, a valve (not shown) regulates the flow of steam to the head 14 during use.

A channel is formed on the lower surface 22 of the head 14. A padding material 24 is attached in position in this channel for use in contacting the fabric to be pressed. A plurality of exhaust steam ports 26 are provided in the lower surface 22 so that steam can flow from the chamber 16 into the channel and through the padding material 24 to the material to be pressed. In this manner, steam is supplied to the fabric held between the upper head 14 and the lower stationary head.

An insulator assembly 28 is attached to the upper surface 20 of the press head 14. This insulator assembly 28 is formed in two pieces, each of which is independently attached to the head by means of a suitable heat resistant adhesive, or the like. Vimasco No. 760, manufactured by Vimasco of Nitro, West Virginia, has been found to be suitable for this purpose, but it is to be understood, of course, that other adhesives could be used. The insulators are molded from high density polyurethane material, No. 977C220526 manufactured by Cook Paint and Varnish Co., Kansas City, Missouri, but it is to be understood, of course, that other materials could be used. The insulators are molded so that their wall thickness is uniform over the heating area of upper surface 20.

The smaller insulator piece 30 is molded to conform with one end of the head 14 and the upper surface 20. The piece 30 is provided with an integrally-formed flange 32 which conforms with the edges of one end of the head 14. The piece 30 has edges 34, 36 and 38, which conform with the edges of the head 14. A mating edge 40 extends across a portionof the head 14 transverse to edge 38. Edge 42 extends across the head 14 transverse to mating edge 40 and joins a discontinuous edge 44 to provide a clearance opening which follows the boundary of one end of the support arm 12.

A larger insulation piece 46 is likewise provided with an integrally-formed flange 47 which conforms with the edges of one end of the head. A straight edge 48, a curved edge 50, and a second straight edge 52 are provided on the second piece 46 to conform with the edge of one end of the head 14. A mating edge 54 extends transverse to the edge 48 and abuts the mating edge 40 of the piece 30. An edge 56 extends transverse to the edge 54 and joins a discontinuous edge 58 to provide a clearance opening which follows the boundary of the other end of the support arm 12.

As can be seen, the pieces 30 and 46 are shaped so that either or both can be installed or replaced on the head 14 without requiring disassembly or removal of the head 14 from the support arm 12.

Although only a spcific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the invention could be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art other than as specifically disclosed.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination:

a press head comprising a flat metallic head defining a hollow chamber, a channel formed in one side of resistant adhesive material attaching said pieces to the other side of said head, clearance openings in said first and second pieces of said insulator. 2. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said pieces have a uniform thickness.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second pieces are molded from polyurethane material.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 775 880 Dated December 4 1973 Inventor(s) James Thomas Gilstrap It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 2,' line 61, change "spcfic" to "specific-f.

Col. 3, line 1, change "ohter" to --other-.-.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of April 197L (SEAL) A-tte st: 7 v

EDWARD I' LFLETGHERJR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents "ORM FO-l 050 (10-69) uscoMM-Dc 0037mm; n "is, GOVERNMENT PRINYING OFFICE IIGI O-'366- 

1. In combination: a press head comprising a flat metallic head defining a hollow chamber, a channel formed in one side of said head, a steam input port on the ohter side of said head, means for attaching said press head to a support, a volume of heat-resistant porous material mounted in said channel, a plurality of steam output ports connecting said channel and said chamber; and an insulator assembly comprising a first and second piece, said first and second pieces each having a mating edge which abuts each other when said pieces are positioned on said press head, heat-resistant adhesive material attaching said pieces to the other side of said head, clearance openings in said first and second pieces of said insulator.
 2. A combination as defined in clAim 1 wherein said pieces have a uniform thickness.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second pieces are molded from polyurethane material. 